A fine second half comeback to reverse a 2-0 half-time deficeit into a 3-2 lead was dampened when Merriott equalised with a contraversial cross that looked like it had swung out of play with 10 minutes left the Chinnocks robbed of all 3 points.. but a point would have been taken at the break.

It started badly for the villagers as on too many occasions the strike duo of Merriott raced clear on goal. A mixture of good goalkeeping and poor finishing prevented the home side extend their lead after John Mcelliott, standing in for the injured Aaron Langdon, had brought their striker down when the danger looked to have been diverted.. The resulting spotkick flew into the corner.. 0-1..

With the last kick of the 1st half Merriott went 2-0 up after some sloppy defending from Ashley Lock and Neil Cochran let the Merriott striker latch onto a through ball and tamely shoot past McElliott..

The second half was a different story.. Chinnock boosted by better determination and skill on the ball took good decisions and pulled a goal back within 2 minutes of the re-start when Ian Masters turn and shot after good wing play by Mark Cawley created the chance. The instinctive finish was Masters' 14th goal of the campaign and really set up the play..

Captain Mark Nelms led by example time and time again and is starting to make a real reputation for himself at this level.. his equaliser almost defied belief when he skipped past 4 challenges on the right wing and when it looked easier to cross, he somehow squeezed his effort along the line and in with others following in to make sure.. the dubious goals panel could meet on this one but Nelms' performance deserved at least one goal..

2-2 soon became 3-2.. and it was Captain Nelms again who lost his marker in the area to power a header into the corner from Damien Hart's fine right wing cross.

It looked plain sailing from here on in but the 4th goal would not come.. Cawley and Masters contrived to miss good chances which would have put the game beyond doubt but the goal never arrived and whilst some could sense it.. the Chinnocks conceeded the late equaliser which should have been cleared by McElliott.. but it some how ghosted in to everyones amazement but not before it had curled out of play... It could have been worse for Chinnock who saw Merriott race clear in the last few moments looking to win the game but McElliott came to the rescue with a timely intervention to make amends for his earlier mistake.

Man of the match went to Mark Nelms (again) but mention also Mark Cawley whose link up play was outstanding, he was unlucky not to score on a couple of occasions and Spencer Davey, the veteran left back was the pick of the defenders and turned defence into attack on a number of occasions during the afternoon.

The management team would have accepted a point at 2-0 down but Chinnock have quality throughout their side and they should really be beating teams like this.. they now find themselves at the wrong end of the table and need to start winning games to haul themselves clear of danger and to start enjoying the thought of the league cup final on 27th December 2008 at Thorncombe.

Next week the Chinnocks host Pymore who will be looking for revenge after their quarter final exit at the hands of the villagers in October this year.